BakeSpace.com Member Forums

[Babette]

How do you perk up mashed potatoes?

[Jane]

I find that mashed potatoes can get quite boring so I throw my potatoes in boiling water with whatever other veggies I have on hand such as parsnip, carrots, yams etc. Then after 20 min. or so I drain them and mash them all together with some cream and butter, salt and pepper. If I'm feeling particularly fat that day I use milk...
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[auntiEM]

I don't perk my mashed potatoes up with extra ingredients but I make sure the seasoning is great. I add my salt (don't be stingy--at least a teaspoon is needed) and a stick of butter to the bowl prior to adding my boiled drained potatoes. I allow the potatoes to set in the bowl for at least a minutes so the butter will melt.

I mash the potatoes slowly until potatoes are fairly well mashed and the butter and salt is incorporated. Continuing to mash, I add milk as necessary to make a good consistency. It is impossible to put a measurement on the milk because so much depends on the potatoes--I never know. Less is better since you can add milk but not take it away. Evaporated milk is great in mashed potatoes. I don't normally buy evaporated milk just for this purpose, but if I have some on hand it will be in my mashed potatoes.

[anita]

Mashed potatoes are great with sour cream and chives diced in them.

anita

[Cary]

I add a head of roasted garlic to the potatoes when mashing.
If you add butter to your potatoes, try caramelizing some onions in it then add it to your mash.
Liberal amounts of salt and pepper are a must

[karen]

[Babette]

OK.. this is going to sound stupid. but does anyone use an electric mixer to mix their mashed potatos? Does it work?

[demartino]

It won't get all the lumps out, but it should do the trick. Start with the paddle attachment to break up the cooked potatoes and get them down to a more manageable size. Then switch to the whisk attachment, add some butter or half and half, and whisk (slowly at first) to incorporate both the liquid and air, until you get a fairly uniform, light consistency.

Jason

[culinarilyobsessed]

I'm a simple girl, not usually wanting too much "perking up". Good mashed potatoes to me just require the right amount of butter, milk/cream, and salt and pepper.

If you want creamy mashed potatoes cream cheese is a good addition.
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[Motherof2Boys]

I always use a electric mixer. My mom started doing it and I just followed along. Maybe it's called being lazy, but I don't care it gets the job done!!

I've added sour cream, shredded cheese, cream cheese, butter, salt & pepper to sort of make a twice baked potatoe without the baked potatoe. Put in greased casserole at 350 for 20 minutes, top with cheese allow to melt and serve. My kids love it.

Jen
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Motherof2Boys

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